Author: Kiwi Commerce
As the festive season approaches, Black Friday buzz intensifies. Last year, UK online shoppers spent a record-breaking £7.28 billion , raising the stakes for retailers worldwide. Black Friday 2024 falls on 28th November, and whether you’re a seasoned eCommerce professional or running your first online store, success depends on strategic planning and smart execution.
This guide offers actionable insights to help your business thrive, with platforms like KiwiCommerce providing the tools to gain that competitive edge.
Key Takeaways:
- Black Friday represents a huge sales opportunity with record-breaking online spending.
- Early planning including understanding consumer behaviour and analysing competitors is vital.
- Optimising the online shopping experience and offering incentives such as free shipping can significantly boost sales.
- Effective marketing strategies include building anticipation, exclusive deals, and personalisation.
- Leveraging print-on-demand and streamlined fulfilment through KiwiCommerce can enhance operational efficiency during peak periods.
What is Black Friday?
Black Friday, the day after American Thanksgiving, marks the unofficial start of the holiday shopping period. Historically, it was coined by Philadelphia police in the 1950s due to the heavy shopping traffic and chaos, and financially, it symbolises the day retailers “go into the black.”
Today, it has evolved into a global online shopping phenomenon, with retailers offering major discounts both in-store and online, drawing millions of eager shoppers.
Black Friday vs Cyber Monday
While close in date, Black Friday and Cyber Monday serve slightly different audiences:
- Black Friday originally focused on in-store sales, now extended online. Deals cover general merchandise and “doorbusters.”
- Cyber Monday, introduced in 2005, focuses on tech and electronics online.
Many eCommerce businesses now run multi-day or even month-long promotions, spanning the weekend through Cyber Week.
Seven Steps to Prepare for Black Friday
1. Understand the Black Friday shopper
Knowing your audience is key to success:
- Motivations: Shoppers hunt for unbeatable deals and exclusive products.
- Research habits: Customers compare products online; ensure clear descriptions, quality images, and reviews.
- Mobile-friendly: A large percentage shop via mobile, so your website must be responsive.
- Timing: Start promotions early; many shoppers plan months in advance.
- Security: Highlight secure payment methods and trust badges.
2. Conduct competitor analysis
Stay ahead by knowing your competitors:
- Identify key players and niche competitors.
- Study previous promotions and pricing strategies.
- Analyse product ranges and unique selling points.
- Learn from competitor reviews to avoid common pitfalls.
3. Start preparations early
Consumers start hunting for bargains as early as September.
- Re-release popular products or introduce seasonal items.
- Plan communications to raise awareness and anticipation.
- Questions to consider: What will you discount? When will sales start? How will you advertise deals?
4. Optimise your website
A smooth online experience drives conversions:
- Streamlined checkout with multiple payment options.
- Fast-loading pages and mobile optimisation.
- Intuitive navigation and search functionality.
- Trust signals like SSL certificates and verified reviews.
5. Outsource production & fulfilment
Use third-party solutions to scale efficiently:
- Vet providers for reliability, integration, speed, cost, and service.
- Consider print-on-demand (POD) to reduce stock risk and costs.
- KiwiCommerce offers integrated POD and fulfilment options to manage peak demand.
6. Prepare exceptional customer support
High traffic means more queries plan ahead:
- Expand support team temporarily.
- Train staff thoroughly on products and deals.
- Use chatbots for instant responses.
- Communicate clearly on shipping, returns, and policies.
7. Create a dedicated Black Friday landing page
A centralised landing page makes deals easy to find:
- Clear, compelling messaging and high-quality visuals.
- Countdown timers to create urgency.
- Mobile-friendly and intuitive navigation.
- Strong CTAs like “Shop Now” or “Limited Time Offer.”
22 Black Friday Marketing Strategies
- Expand your product range – Seasonal and complementary items increase average order value.
- Build anticipation – Teasers, countdowns, and exclusive previews drive excitement.
- Automate marketing – Scheduled emails, retargeting ads, and social media posts save time and boost efficiency.
- Offer exclusive promotions – Flash sales, bundles, and loyalty perks attract attention.
- Adjust pricing smartly – Use dynamic pricing, bundle offers, and tiered discounts.
- Provide free shipping – Encourages purchases, reduces cart abandonment, and builds loyalty.
- Showcase social proof – Reviews, testimonials, UGC, and influencer endorsements build credibility.
- Use personalisation – Tailor offers based on behaviour, segment emails, and customise shopping experiences.
- Social media awareness – Eye-catching visuals, hashtags, live sessions, and paid ads boost reach.
- Upsell & cross-sell – Offer premium versions or complementary products to maximise order value.
- Abandoned cart recovery – Automated emails and retargeting ads reclaim lost sales.
- Early bird access – Reward loyal customers with exclusive pre-sale deals.
- Strategic pop-ups – Exit-intent or timed pop-ups guide customers to complete purchases.
- New customer promotions – Welcome discounts encourage first-time purchases.
- Loyalty programmes – Exclusive Black Friday perks and double points drive repeat sales.
- Buy now, pay later (BNPL) – Appeals to budget-conscious shoppers.
- Referral programmes – Incentivise customers to bring new buyers.
- Free gifts with purchase – Encourages higher spending and adds perceived value.
- VIP shopping experiences – Exclusive deals and tailored recommendations for top customers.
- Gamification – Spin-to-win or points-based systems increase engagement.
- Strategise for Cyber Week – Daily themed promotions sustain sales momentum.
- Post-Black Friday rewards – Encourage repeat purchases with discounts, early access, or loyalty points.
Boost Black Friday Success with KiwiCommerce
Understanding consumer behaviour and employing smart marketing is crucial—but logistics matter just as much. KiwiCommerce simplifies your Black Friday operations with:
- Print-on-demand and fulfilment integration
- Holiday-themed personalised products
- Streamlined inventory and order management
- Fast, global delivery
Focus on creating an exceptional shopping experience while KiwiCommerce handles the logistics. Make Black Friday 2025 your most profitable yet!
Sign up with KiwiCommerce today to elevate your Black Friday strategy.
New research provides insights into how Google’s AI Overviews select and rank websites across different industries, with clear implications for what SEOs and publishers should be focusing on moving forward.
What Are AI Overviews?
AI Overviews are Google’s AI-powered summaries that appear at the top of search results, pulling together information from multiple sources to provide quick, conversational answers to user queries.
New AI Overview capabilities and features include:
- Conversational search journeys – Users can continue asking follow-up questions without having to retype their query.
- Integrated citations – AI Overviews cite web sources, often linking to supporting pages that influenced the summary.
- Varied content types – Results can highlight product listings, videos, tutorials, and informational articles depending on intent.
- Expanded coverage across verticals – Particularly strong in YMYL sectors such as healthcare, education, and insurance.
- User-focused design – Summaries are structured to match what people are most likely looking for, based on search behaviour.
The Potential Traffic Impact of AI Overviews
AI Overviews can reshape how users interact with search results. If the answer they need is already summarised in the Overview, fewer users may scroll down to click on traditional organic listings.
That said, AI Overviews also create new entry points for visibility, since citations can drive traffic from users who want to verify the source or dig deeper. The balance between lost organic clicks and gained AI Overview citations will vary by industry. For sectors with high overlap (e.g., healthcare, education, insurance), brands that already rank strongly in organic search may benefit. For e-commerce, where overlap remains low, visibility could be harder to capture.
AI Overviews and Organic Search
The data reveals that 54% of AI Overview citations match the web pages already ranking in organic search results. This also means that 46% of citations come from outside the traditional organic listings.
One possible explanation could be linked to Google’s FastSearch algorithm.
FastSearch is powered by the RankEmbed deep-learning model, trained on search logs (click and query data) and third-party quality raters. The click data reflects user behaviour – effectively teaching the model what type of results people find most relevant. For example, if users consistently click on videos or tutorials for “How to” queries, the model learns that this is the preferred content format.
This suggests that the overlap between AI Overviews and organic results may not be purely based on traditional ranking factors (like backlinks). Instead, FastSearch may retrieve results that align with user intent and semantic relevance, which coincidentally match organic results around half of the time.
What This Means for Ranking Factors
The findings highlight the complexity of Google’s AI-driven search systems. FastSearch seems to prioritise speed, semantic relevance, and user expectations over traditional ranking signals.
This reinforces the importance of content that not only ranks well but also matches the format and type of information users are looking for. For example, a user searching for a product is unlikely to want a long-form article; they’ll expect to see the product page itself.
How the Overlap Has Evolved
When AI Overviews first launched, there was just a 32% overlap with organic results. Over the past 16 months, that overlap has grown to 54%.
However, this figure isn’t consistent across all industries – it varies significantly by vertical.
Industry-Specific Differences
The overlap between organic and AI Overview results is much higher in YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) sectors, such as healthcare, education, and insurance. This could be because these areas rely heavily on a smaller pool of highly authoritative and trusted sources.
Breakdown by sector:
- Healthcare: 75.3% overlap (up from 63.3%)
- Education: 72.6% overlap (up from just 19.4%)
- Insurance: 68.6% overlap (up from 20.9%)
- E-commerce: Only 22.9% overlap (almost unchanged, up just 0.6%)
E-commerce stands out as the sector with the lowest overlap. Interestingly, AI Overview coverage for e-commerce queries has actually declined by 7.6%. This makes sense when you consider that AI-generated summaries are helpful for research but not particularly well-suited to users who are ready to buy.
How Brands Can Optimise for Informational AI Overviews
To increase visibility in AI Overviews, brands should consider:
- Structuring content for clarity – Concise, well-formatted answers are more likely to be pulled into AI-generated summaries.
- Covering user questions comprehensively – Content that anticipates and answers related queries has a higher chance of being cited.
- Aligning with search intent – For informational queries, focus on education, guidance, and tutorials rather than sales-heavy messaging.
- Diversifying formats – Incorporating videos, visuals, and FAQs can help match the content types AI Overviews favour.
Measuring Performance in SGE
Tracking performance in AI-driven search experiences (sometimes referred to as Search Generative Experience, or SGE) requires a shift in measurement. Traditional rankings alone won’t provide the full picture.
Brands should look at:
- Citation share – How often their pages are cited in AI Overviews.
- Referral traffic – Click-throughs from AI Overviews versus traditional organic.
- Content type performance – Which formats (text, video, product listings) are cited most frequently.
- Overlap benchmarking – Comparing your brand’s overlap with industry averages to spot opportunities.
Key Takeaways for SEOs and Publishers
- High overlap sectors (60%+): Stick with strong traditional SEO practices.
- Low overlap sectors (<30%): Use a mixed content strategy – invest in both organic SEO and AI-optimised content.
- Mid overlap sectors (30–60%): Build comprehensive content that serves both AI Overview inclusion and organic rankings.
Recommended Next Steps
- Measure Your Overlap Profile – Calculate what percentage of your AI Overview citations also appear in organic search. Compare against the 54% industry-wide average.
- Align Strategy with Intent – Adjust your approach based on overlap levels.
- Track Trends Monthly – Overlap has risen industry-wide by 22% in just 16 months. Regular monitoring ensures you spot shifts quickly, such as the September 2024 spike (+5.4%).
Ready to Future-Proof Your Visibility?
AI Overviews are rapidly reshaping search behaviour. Whether you’re in a high-overlap sector like healthcare or struggling to capture visibility in e-commerce, the key is to adapt your strategy now.
At Kiwicommerce, we help brands optimise for both traditional SEO and AI-driven search experiences. From technical optimisation to AI-ready content strategies, we’ll ensure your business stays visible as search continues to evolve.
Get in touch with Kiwicommerce today to discuss how we can strengthen your AI Overview and SEO performance.
At KiwiCommerce, we specialise in helping businesses unlock the full potential of their
online stores through advanced Shopify Development. One of the biggest game-changers
in eCommerce today is headless Shopify, a modern approach that allows businesses to
create lightning-fast, highly customisable, and scalable online stores.
Traditional Shopify themes combine the front-end (what customers see) with the back-end
(where all management happens). While this setup is easy to manage, it limits
customisation, speed, and overall flexibility. Headless Shopify solves this by separating the
front-end from Shopify’s powerful back-end, allowing for greater control over design,
performance, and customer experience.
How Headless Shopify Works
Here’s a simple breakdown of how headless Shopify operates:
- Custom Front-End Design: Build your website using modern frameworks like
React, Next.js, or Vue.js to create interactive and engaging experiences. - API Integration: Your front-end communicates with Shopify’s back-end through
APIs, managing products, orders, customers, and payments in real time. - Content Management: Use a headless CMS like Contentful or Sanity to manage
marketing content, blogs, and landing pages. - Omnichannel Experience: The same back-end powers websites, mobile apps, and
other digital touchpoints seamlessly. - Dynamic Updates: Front-end changes can be implemented without affecting the
back-end, allowing faster testing and updates for marketing campaigns or seasonal
promotions.
By decoupling the front-end, headless Shopify allows for complete freedom in creating user
experiences while still leveraging Shopify’s robust commerce engine.
6 Major Benefits of Headless Shopify
- Full Customisation
With headless Shopify, you can design every aspect of your store exactly how you want.
From dynamic product pages to personalised user journeys, your store can truly reflect your brand. - Lightning-Fast Performance
Decoupling the front-end ensures your website loads quickly, even during peak traffic. Faster sites improve user experience, reduce bounce rates, and boost SEO performance. - Omnichannel Flexibility
Headless Shopify allows consistent shopping experiences across websites, mobile apps,marketplaces, and more all while Shopify handles inventory and order management centrally. - Future-Proof Scalability
Integrate new technologies, platforms, or digital channels without needing a complete
redesign. Headless Shopify prepares your store for long-term growth. - Advanced Personalisation
Control your front-end fully to deliver advanced personalisation, including tailored product recommendations, region-specific content, and targeted promotions. - Improved Security and Reliability
By separating the front-end from the back-end, stores are less vulnerable to front-end issues affecting overall operations. This reduces downtime and ensures a smooth shopping experience for your customers.
Is Headless Shopify Right for Your Business?
Headless commerce requires technical expertise and an upfront investment, but for
businesses seeking highly customisable, scalable, and lightning-fast stores, it’s a
game-changing solution.
At KiwiCommerce, our Shopify development team can help you implement headless
Shopify, creating a store that’s fast, flexible, secure, and fully tailored to your business needs
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) for Magento 2 has evolved significantly in 2025. While traditional elements like metadata, canonical tags, and XML sitemaps are still critical, Google’s increased focus on Core Web Vitals, AI-driven search algorithms, and semantic indexing means merchants need to adapt quickly.
This comprehensive checklist, created for Kiwi Commerce, reflects the most important SEO updates for Magento 2 stores in 2025, covering everything from technical health and structured data to multilingual SEO and content strategy.
1. Core Web Vitals (CWV): Now Non-Negotiable
Google introduced Core Web Vitals as ranking factors in 2021, but poor CWV can drastically limit your visibility — especially across mobile search.
Largest Contentful Paint (LCP)
-
Target: Under 2.5 seconds
-
How to Improve:
-
Optimise hero banners and above-the-fold assets
-
Lazy-load product images
-
Use a high-performance CDN such as Fastly
-
Interaction to Next Paint (INP)
(Replacing FID)
-
Target: Under 200ms
-
Fixes:
-
Reduce JavaScript execution time
-
Delay non-essential third-party scripts (chat widgets, review apps)
-
Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS)
-
Target: Under 0.1
-
Fixes:
-
Reserve space for fonts and images
-
Prevent layout shifts during load
-
Ensure banners and widgets load predictably
-
Magento Tip:
Switch to a lightweight frontend such as Hyvä Themes, or significantly optimise Luma using bundling, minification, and critical CSS techniques.
2. Canonical Tags & Clean URL Strategy
Duplicate content is a frequent Magento SEO challenge caused by layered navigation, sorting parameters, and pagination.
Best Practices
-
Implement rel=”canonical” on products and categories to define the preferred URL
-
Enable Magento’s canonical settings:
Stores → Configuration → Catalog → Search Engine Optimisations -
Avoid indexing filter and sort URLs (e.g.,
?dir=asc,?order=price) using robots.txt or meta robots noindex
Pro Tip:
Use Google Search Console or Screaming Frog to uncover incorrect or conflicting canonical tags.
3. Structured Data & Rich Snippets
Google depends heavily on structured data to understand your pages and enhance them with rich results.
Essential Schema Types to Add
-
Product (name, SKU, price, image, availability)
-
Review / AggregateRating
-
BreadcrumbList
-
FAQPage for blogs and help centre articles
Implementation Tools
-
Magento SEO extensions (Amasty, MageWorx)
-
Custom JSON-LD blocks
-
Google Rich Results Test & Schema.org validator
Bonus:
Add Organization and Website schema to your homepage to strengthen brand credibility.
4. Multilingual & Multi-Region SEO
For Magento stores operating across multiple regions (e.g., .co.uk, .com, .fr), correct hreflang configuration is essential.
Checklist
-
Add proper hreflang tags (en-GB, en-US, fr-FR)
-
Include an x-default fallback
-
Do not auto-redirect based on IP alone; offer a country selector
-
Use consistent URLs across store views
-
Configure Magento’s URL Options for clarity and stability
5. Pagination, Infinite Scroll & SEO
Magento supports pagination natively, but it must be implemented cleanly.
Recommendations
-
Use rel=”prev” and rel=”next” (still helpful for some engines)
-
Ensure paginated pages have self-referencing canonicals
-
Avoid noindexing pagination unless using infinite scroll with JavaScript
If using AJAX infinite loading, ensure content is crawlable through prerendering or progressive enhancement.
6. Semantic SEO & AI-Driven Optimisation
Search engines now use advanced AI systems like Google MUM and Gemini to understand context and intent.
Content Strategy
-
Create topical clusters, not isolated keyword pages
-
Add semantic variations naturally into product/category descriptions
-
Include useful sections such as:
-
“Who is this for?”
-
“Why buy this?”
-
“Common questions”
-
Helpful Tools
-
ChatGPT or Claude for semantic enrichment
-
SurferSEO, NeuronWriter for NLP scoring
7. Indexing, Crawling & Robots.txt Control
Magento sites require careful control over what should and shouldn’t be crawled.
Recommended robots.txt Rules
Disallow: /customer/
Disallow: /checkout/
Disallow: /catalogsearch/
Disallow: /*?dir=
Disallow: /*?order=
Disallow: /*?p=
-
Ensure CSS, JS, and media are not blocked
-
Submit updated sitemaps in Google Search Console
-
Use meta robots noindex for layered navigation instead of blocking globally
8. Sitemap Optimisation
Magento can auto-generate sitemaps, but they must be refined for indexing efficiency.
Checklist
-
Enable Product, Category, and CMS Page sitemaps individually
-
Exclude non-indexable or duplicate URLs
-
Set logical priority and frequency
-
Homepage: daily, priority 1.0
-
-
Submit to Google and Bing Webmaster Tools
9. Voice Search & Conversational Intent
Voice search continues to grow across mobile and smart devices.
Optimise by:
-
Adding FAQs marked up with FAQPage schema
-
Writing naturally, not keyword-stuffed
-
Including clear answers under descriptive subheadings
Examples of voice queries:
-
“What is the best tumble dryer under £300?”
-
“How do I choose the right size TV?”
10. Image Optimisation & WebP Support
Fast image delivery is vital for UX, conversion, and Core Web Vitals.
Magento Recommendations
-
Enable WebP via extensions or server-level optimisation
-
Lazy-load images below the fold
-
Compress assets with TinyPNG, ImageMagick, or equivalent tools
Conclusion
Magento 2 SEO in 2025 is no longer about stuffing keywords into product descriptions. It’s about technical excellence, semantic precision, and performance-first experiences. Follow this checklist, created by Kiwi Commerce, to future-proof your SEO and stay ahead of competitors in search rankings.
Good product photos are the first thing people notice when they land on your online store.
They can decide in seconds whether to stay and shop or leave.
The problem? Brands need new visuals all the time for websites, ads, emails, and social
posts. Photo shoots take time, cost money, and can’t always keep up.
This is where AI comes in. With the right tools, you can create product images faster, try out
new styles, and keep your content fresh without always running back to the studio.
What AI Can Do
AI tools can help in two main ways:
- Train with your product – You upload pictures of your product, and AI learns how it
looks. After that, you can create endless new images in different settings. - Change backgrounds and settings – Take a plain product shot and place it in a
lifestyle scene, with realistic lighting and props.
Both are useful – but AI still struggles with tiny text (like labels) and shiny objects.
One Rule to Remember
AI works best with good photos. If you give it clear, high-quality product images, the results
will look sharp. If not, the output may look off.
So think of AI as a boost, not a full replacement for photography.
Where AI Images Help Most
● Product listings → keep them fresh for seasons or sales
● Social media → endless new content ideas
● Ads → quick variations for campaigns
● Website → update landing pages without re-shoots
How to Make AI Work for Your Product Photos
- Start with clear images – High-quality photos give AI the best results.
- Play with angles and lighting – More perspectives = more realistic outputs.
- Think lifestyle, not just product – Show it in settings your audience relates to.
- Mix backgrounds and props – Adds variety without extra shoots.
- Check the details – AI can miss text or reflections; always review.
- Use AI to boost, not replace – Keep core photos and use AI for fresh variations.
Final Thoughts
AI won’t replace traditional photos completely – but it gives brands speed, creativity, and flexibility.
Use both together and you’ll save time, keep your visuals strong, and stay ahead in the market.
If you’d like to see how AI product imagery can work for your brand, let’s connect.
The team at KiwiCommerce is here to help. Let’s connect and bring your ideas to life!
Adobe Optimizer (powered by Adobe Target) enables A/B testing, multivariate
testing, and AI-driven personalisation in Magento 2 (Adobe Commerce). It integrates
seamlessly to deliver targeted content, optimize conversions, and test UX elements
without disrupting core operations.
Key Capabilities
âž” A/B/n Testing: Compare page variants.
âž” Automated Personalisation: AI-driven content targeting.
âž” Visual Experience Composer (VEC): Edit pages visually.
âž” Server-Side Delivery: Reduce client-side flicker.
âž” Magento Data Layer: Leverage cart and checkout data for targeted
advertising.
Prerequisites
Before integrating Adobe Optimizer with Magento 2:
- Adobe Experience Cloud Setup
âž” Ensure your organisation has an active Adobe Experience Cloud
account.
âž” Access to Adobe Launch (Tag Manager).
âž” Adobe Optimizer workspace and API credentials. - Magento 2 Requirements
âž” Adobe Commerce (Magento 2.4. x)
âž” Access to Magento Admin and developer tools (CLI, code access).
âž” Frontend theme access (for injecting scripts).
Core Architecture
Adobe Optimizer operates through a hybrid architecture combining:
âž” Client-Side (AT.js): For DOM manipulation and quick implementation
âž” Server-Side (Node.js/PHP SDK): For zero-flicker experiences
âž” Edge Network: Global CDN for low-latency decision-making
Architectural Flow
Setup & Configuration
Step 1: Install Adobe Commerce Extension
composer require magento/target-rule
bin/magento module:enable Magento_TargetRule
bin/magento setup:upgrade
Step 2: Configure Credentials
{
“client_code”: “your_adobe_client_code”,
“organization_id”: “IMS_ORG_ID”,
“workspace”: “default”,
“server_side”: true // Enable server-side delivery
}
Step 3: Inject Target SDK in Theme
Edit app/design/frontend///requirejs-config.js:
var config = {
paths: {
‘adobe-target’: ‘https://assets.adobedtm.com/activation’
},
shim: {
‘adobe-target’: { ‘exports’: ‘adobeData’ }
}
};
Creating an A/B Test: Code Example
Scenario: Test two checkout button colours.
Step 1: Define Activities in Adobe Target UI
âž” Create Experience A (Green Button) & Experience B (Blue Button).
Step 2: Add Target Logic in Magento Template
File:
app/design/frontend///Magento_Checkout/templates/cart
.phtml
helper(‘Magento\TargetRule\Helper\Data’)->isEnabled()): ?> Proceed to Checkout
Step 3: Server-Side Rendering (Advanced)
Use Magento’s PagePlugin to inject content:
// Plugin to modify block output
class RenderTargetContent
{
public function afterToHtml(
\Magento\Checkout\Block\Cart $subject,
$result
) {
$targetContent =
$this->targetService->applyContent(‘checkout-btn-test’);
return str_replace(‘btn-default’, $targetContent,
$result);
}
}
Tracking & Metrics
âž” Conversion Goals: Track via Magento events:
âž” View Reports: Real-time analytics in Adobe Target dashboard.
document.querySelector(‘#checkout-button’).addEventListener(‘click
‘, function() {
adobe.target.trackEvent({
mbox: ‘checkout-click’,
conversion: true
});
});
Best Practices
âž” Avoid Flicker: Use server-side delivery or pre-hiding snippets.
âž” Leverage Magento Context: Pass SKU, category, and cart value to Target:
adobe.target.getOffer({
params: {
“cartTotal”: “getCartTotal() ?>”,
“customerGroup”: “getCustomerGroup() ?>”
}
});
âž” Cache Considerations: Exclude personalised blocks from full-page cache.
âž” QA with AT.js Debugger: Use Chrome extension for validation.
Key Performance Indicators
Metric Baseline Target Measurement
Personalization ROI 0.1 5:1 Adobe Analytics
Time-to-Decision 300ms <50ms Chrome DevTools Offer Cache Hit Rate 0% >85% Target Reports
Test Velocity 2/month 10/week Activity Log
Lift Significance N/A >95% Stats Engine
Troubleshooting
âž” Common Error: Offers not rendering?
â—† Verify IMS credentials in Admin.
â—† Check the browser console for adobe.target errors.
âž” Missing Data Layer: Ensure Magento\TargetRule\Block\Data is included
in the layout.
Conclusion
Adobe Optimizer transforms Magento 2 into a testing/personalisation powerhouse.
By combining server-side logic with client-side flexibility, developers can deploy
experiments without compromising performance. Start with simple A/B tests, then
scale to AI-driven personalisation using Magento’s rich e-commerce data layer.
If you’re running a Magento 2 store, you’ve likely heard whispers (or loud shouts) about Hyvä – the new kid on the block that’s shaking up how Magento storefronts are built. But what exactly is Hyvä? And is it the right fit for your business?
In this blog, we’ll break down what Hyvä is, how it compares to other Magento frontends, and whether it’s worth the investment in 2025.
🤔 What is Hyvä?
Hyvä is a modern frontend theme for Magento 2. It’s fast, lightweight, and developer-friendly, built with simplicity and performance in mind. It replaces the bloated and ageing Luma theme, giving your store a much-needed speed boost and cleaner codebase.
🧱 How is Hyvä Different from Luma or PWA?
| Feature | Luma (default) | Hyvä | PWA |
| Speed | Slow | Very fast | Fast (with good setup) |
| Complexity | High | Simple | Very high |
| Developer Cost | Moderate | Lower long-term | High |
| Time to Launch | Medium | Fast | Long |
| Best For | Small stores or legacy | Most B2C/B2B stores | Large, mobile-first apps |
🚀 Why Store Owners Love Hyvä
- Page speed scores skyrocket – reducing bounce rate and improving SEO
- Lower development costs – fewer bugs, easier to maintain
- Faster go-live – get your redesign launched quicker
- Great UX – clean design, easier to customise
- Growing community – 1,500+ stores and counting
🛑 When Hyvä May Not Be the Right Fit
- You want a headless or app-like experience (then PWA might be better)
- You rely heavily on third-party extensions that don’t support Hyvä yet
- You’re using Magento Open Source with outdated infrastructure
💸 Is Hyvä Worth the Investment?
In short: Yes – for most Magento 2 stores.
If you want a faster store, happier customers, better SEO, and lower dev headaches, Hyvä is likely a smart long-term investment. It’s especially appealing to mid-sized merchants who want the benefits of modern tech without the cost of full PWA builds.
đź§ Final Thoughts
Hyvä is not just a theme it’s a shift in how Magento storefronts are built. While it’s not perfect for every store, it hits the sweet spot between performance and simplicity for most merchants in 2025.
Thinking of upgrading your Magento 2 frontend? Hyvä might be the breath of fresh air your store needs.
Online shopping has already changed the way we buy products, but the next big shift is coming. The future of e-commerce is not just about clicking on pictures it’s about experiencing shopping in 3D, AR, and VR worlds.
Imagine putting on a headset or opening an app where you can walk inside a digital store, pick up products, try them on, and buy them all without leaving your home. That’s immersive commerce, and it’s coming faster than you think.
From Flat Screens to 3D Shopping
Today’s online stores look the same: a list of products, pictures, and prices. But immersive shopping makes the experience more real and interactive:
- Walk inside a virtual showroom instead of scrolling a page.
- Rotate and inspect 3D models of products.
- Use AR on your phone to see how a sofa looks in your room.
- Try on clothes, shoes, or glasses virtually before you buy.
How It Works (In Simple Steps)
- 3D Store: Built with VR/AR technology where products are displayed like in a real shop.
- 3D Products: Items have 3D models instead of just flat photos.
- AR Try-On: Use your phone camera to see how products fit in real life.
- AI Assistants: Virtual helpers suggest products and answer questions.
- Checkout Inside Experience: Customers can buy directly without leaving the virtual world.
Real-World Examples
- Fashion: Try clothes, shoes, and accessories virtually.
- Furniture: Place 3D furniture in your living room before buying.
- Cars: Explore car interiors in VR before visiting a showroom.
- Luxury Brands: Create digital showrooms where customers explore collections.
Benefits for Businesses
✅ More Customer Engagement – People spend more time in immersive stores.
✅ Fewer Returns – Customers see how products fit before buying.
✅ Global Reach – One virtual showroom can serve customers worldwide.
✅ Stronger Brand Image – A futuristic shopping experience makes brands stand out.
✅ New Revenue Streams – Digital goods (like virtual fashion or NFTs) can be sold alongside physical ones.
Technology Behind It
- VR/AR Engines: Unity, Unreal Engine for 3D stores.
- WebXR / Three.js: For browser-based immersive experiences.
- ARKit, ARCore: For mobile AR try-ons.
- AI: Virtual shopping assistants and personalization.
- 5G & Edge Computing: Faster loading of 3D worlds.
- Blockchain: For digital product ownership and NFTs.
The Road Ahead
Immersive shopping is not just a trend it’s the next evolution of e-commerce. In the near future, customers will move easily between:
- Trying a product in AR at home
- Walking through a VR store
- Buying a digital + physical version of the same product
Brands that adopt these technologies early will have a huge advantage in attracting and retaining customers.
Conclusion
At Kiwi Commerce, we believe the future belongs to retailers who embrace innovation from AR/VR shopping experiences to AI-driven personalization. By preparing today, your business can stay ahead of the curve and deliver the kind of immersive, engaging journeys customers now expect.
👉 Ready to future-proof your store? Contact Kiwi Commerce today and start building shopping experiences your customers will never forget.
The digital commerce industry has grown at an unprecedented pace over the past decade, and in 2025, it shows no signs of slowing down. As businesses race to capture attention in a crowded online marketplace, one factor has proven to be a true game-changer: UI (User Interface) and UX (User Experience) design. No matter how great a product or service may be, if customers find it difficult to navigate the website, feel frustrated during checkout, or do not enjoy the shopping experience, they are likely to abandon their cart.
The Evolution of UI/UX in E-Commerce
A decade ago, UI/UX Design was often seen as a secondary aspect of e-commerce development. Businesses focused more on product quality, pricing, and advertising campaigns, often neglecting the user journey on their digital platforms. Fast forward to 2025, and the situation has completely changed. With growing competition and higher customer expectations, UI/UX has emerged as the differentiator that determines whether a visitor becomes a paying customer—or leaves for a competitor’s site.
Why UI/UX Matters More Than Ever
The average customer today has endless choices at their fingertips. A single frustrating moment—whether it’s a confusing menu, hidden product information, or a complex checkout process—can result in immediate cart abandonment.
UI: Creating the First Impression
User Interface design is all about how your platform looks and feels. It includes visual elements such as colors, typography, images, and layout. A clean and modern UI can communicate professionalism and credibility, while a cluttered or outdated design can drive users away instantly.
UX: Ensuring a Smooth Journey
While UI makes the platform look appealing, UX ensures that it functions effortlessly. UX involves understanding the customer’s behavior, needs, and emotions while interacting with the platform. From intuitive navigation to simplified checkout processes, good UX design minimizes friction and maximizes satisfaction.
Key Trends Shaping UI/UX in 2025
- Personalization at Scale – AI and machine learning enable tailored experiences for each customer.
- Voice & Gesture Navigation – Smart devices now allow voice commands and gesture-based shopping.
- Augmented & Virtual Reality – Virtual try-ons and 3D product models improve purchase confidence.
- Mobile-First and Minimalist Design – Clean layouts ensure smooth mobile shopping experiences.
- Seamless Checkout Processes – One-click checkouts and multiple payment options reduce cart abandonment.
- Dark Mode & Accessibility Features – Inclusive design expands reach to diverse customer groups.
Business Impact of Good UI/UX
- Increased Conversions – Smooth user journeys boost sales.
- Lower Bounce Rates – Engaging interfaces keep visitors longer.
- Improved Customer Loyalty – Great experiences lead to repeat purchases.
- Stronger Brand Perception – A professional design builds trust.
- Word-of-Mouth Marketing – Happy customers recommend brands to others.
Case Studies: Brands Winning with UI/UX in 2025
- Amazon – Predictive analytics and seamless checkout remain industry benchmarks.
- Nike – AR try-on features and customization keep users engaged.
- Small Businesses – Leveraging Shopify and Magento with custom UI/UX boosts growth.
Challenges in UI/UX for E-Commerce
Despite the benefits, designing effective UI/UX comes with challenges. Balancing aesthetics with functionality, catering to diverse customer preferences, and keeping up with rapidly evolving technology can be daunting. Moreover, businesses must address issues of security, data privacy, and inclusivity while still delivering seamless experiences.
Future of UI/UX in E-Commerce
Looking ahead, UI/UX will only grow in importance. Emerging technologies like AI-powered design tools, biometric authentication, and hyper-personalized shopping assistants will redefine the customer journey. The future lies in adaptive ecosystems that respond to user needs in real-time.
Conclusion
In 2025, the success of an e-commerce business is inseparable from the quality of its UI and UX. Together, they form the backbone of customer interaction, shaping how people perceive, engage with, and ultimately purchase from online stores. Companies that invest in user-centered design are not just enhancing their websites; they are building long-term trust, loyalty, and profitability.
At Kiwicommerce, we specialise in creating seamless, conversion-driven UI/UX experiences that help e-commerce brands thrive in the competitive digital marketplace. Ready to elevate your shop’s design and performance? Get in touch with us today and start your journey towards smarter, more profitable e-commerce.
In today’s fast-paced digital world, applications need to process massive amounts of data, handle millions
of requests, and scale seamlessly. One of the unsung heroes that makes this possible is the Message
Queue (MQ).
At Kiwicommerce, our Magento development services integrate seamlessly with MQ technology, helping eCommerce stores manage large order volumes, synchronize inventory in real time, and deliver a smooth shopping experience even during peak traffic.
What is a Message Queue?
A message queue is a communication method that allows different parts of a system (or even different
applications) to talk to each other asynchronously. Instead of sending requests directly, one system puts a
“message” into a queue, and another system picks it up whenever it’s ready.
Think of it as a post office:
You drop a letter (message) in the mailbox (queue).
The recipient (consumer) collects it when they’re ready.
This way, you don’t have to wait until they’re free you just trust the mailbox to hold it safely.
Why Use a Message Queue?
✅ Asynchronous Processing – Tasks don’t have to finish instantly. ✅ Decoupling – Producers and consumers are independent. ✅ Scalability – Add more consumers to handle high traffic.
✅ Reliability – Messages aren’t lost if a system crashes.
How Does a Message Queue Work?
- Producer – sends a message to the queue.
- Queue – stores the message temporarily.
- Consumer – retrieves and processes the message.
Popular Message Queue Systems
RabbitMQ – widely used, feature-rich, and open-source.
Apache Kafka – designed for high-throughput event streaming.
Amazon SQS – fully managed queueing service on AWS.
Azure Service Bus – Microsoft’s enterprise-grade queueing system.
Real-World Use Cases
E-commerce: Handling orders and inventory updates.
Banking: Processing transactions securely.
Social Media: Delivering notifications and messages.
IoT: Managing millions of sensor readings from devices.
Technical Examples
🔹 Example 2: Kafka with Node.js
Producer (producer.js):
const { Kafka } = require(“kafkajs”);
const kafka = new Kafka({
clientId: “my-app”,
brokers: [“localhost:9092”],
});
const producer = kafka.producer();
const run = async () => {
await producer.connect();
await producer.send({
topic: “test-topic”,
messages: [{ value: “Hello Kafka!” }],
});
console.log(“âś… Message sent to Kafka”);
await producer.disconnect();
};
run().catch(console.error);
Consumer (consumer.js):
const { Kafka } = require(“kafkajs”);
const kafka = new Kafka({
clientId: “my-app”,
brokers: [“localhost:9092”],
});
const consumer = kafka.consumer({ groupId: “test-group” });
const run = async () => {
await consumer.connect();
await consumer.subscribe({ topic: “test-topic”, fromBeginning: true });
await consumer.run({
eachMessage: async ({ topic, partition, message }) => {
console.log(đź“© Received: ${message.value.toString()});
},
});
};
run().catch(console.error);
Final Thoughts
Message queues are a crucial part of modern software architecture, especially in systems that need to
handle large amounts of data, high traffic, or multiple services working together.
Whether you’re building a simple app with RabbitMQ or managing real-time event streams with
Kafka, message queues help you create systems that are scalable, reliable, and efficient.
Discover how Kiwicommerce can help scale your business connect with us.